WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (March 31, 2022) – This past weekend, downtown West Palm Beach came alive as tens of thousands of guests experienced the latest in boating, yachting, and marine technology. Informa Markets and the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County marked another successful boat show, elevating the 40th annual occurrence as one of the most luxurious boating and yachting events in South Florida for another year in a row. From Thursday, March 24th – Sunday, March 27th along the historic Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, the show made waves with an unforgettable event featuring innovative electric and hybrid products, luxury superyachts, and family-friendly activations.
“The 40th Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show was an astounding success,” said Andrew Doole, President of U.S. Boat Show with Informa Markets. “We are grateful to the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Mayor Keith James of West Palm Beach, the City, and all our local partners for working diligently with our team to deliver a seamless and enjoyable experience for attendees, exhibitors, content creators, and the industry at large. We look forward to returning next year for another monumental event.”
This milestone year of the boat show brought together notable guests, elected officials, and marine industry representatives to remark on the importance of the boat show for the industry and the community at-large.
As part of this anniversary year, Informa Markets reiterated their commitment to the preservation of South Florida’s endangered marine life with a $300,000 contribution to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida (FWC) to support multiple initiatives advocating for environmental preservation. These initiatives include the Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Outdoor Classroom project and the education and conservation of marine turtles and the ocean ecosystem; and the Manatee Lagoon Eco-Discovery Center’s mission to educate the public about manatees and to inspire communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations. Lastly, this contribution will go towards the FWC’s Manatee restoration projects to support the conservation of Florida’s manatee habitats.
“This donation is greatly appreciated and will help us continue promoting habitat conservation and healthy waterways overall in the state,” said Andrew Walker, President and CEO of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation.
Since 1982, the boat show has grown to occupy a dominant position in South Florida as both a leader in the boating and marine industry, and as an economic engine to the Palm Beach community and the tri-county area. An analysis of the boat show from 2020 showed that the event has an estimated total statewide economic impact of over $680 million and generates approximately $84 million for Palm Beach County and $344 million for the tri-county area. With over 53,000 visitors attending the show in previous years, this has contributed to over $227 million in total sales resulting from the show.
“We would like to thank everyone who came out this year to support the 40th anniversary of the Palm Beach International Boat Show, including all the fantastic exhibitors!” said Alyssa Freeman, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County. “The MIAPBC is proud to own the show and be able to give back hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to local organizations. We look forward to planning another fantastic event for next year!”
At this year’s boat show, guests were treated to numerous environmental and conservation events throughout the four-day event. Notable panels from respected organizations and experts such as The Nature Conservancy, the Saving Our Sharks Foundation, and Dr. Amy C. Hirons – an oceanographer at Nova Southeastern University – provided visitors at the show with educational and engaging opportunities to help all attendees expand their knowledge of critical topics affecting sea life and our oceans and waters. For kids and families, the Hook the Future seminars continued to offer amazing classes on basic fishing techniques for young anglers, hosted by Captain Don Dingman.
In keeping with demand for electric and hybrid boating technology, the Palm Beach International Boat Show showcased products from numerous exhibitors including Greenline, which had on display the 40’ hybrid and the 68’ FLY hybrid that offer the benefits of environmentally friendly technology with no noise, vibrations, or emissions while continuing to provide comfort and style for your adventures out on the water. The type of technology exhibited by Greenline is reflective of recent trends for boating and marine products that are eco-friendly and powered by electric or renewable sources.
As one of the premier boat shows showcasing luxury yachts and superyachts, this year’s event was the place to be for visitors looking for a glimpse of the finest shipbuilders in the world. Notable manufacturers and exhibitors included Princess Yachts America, Oceanfast, and Benetti, among others.
"The Palm Beach International Boat Show is one that so many look forward to each year," said James Nobel, Vice President & Marketing Director for Princess Yachts America. "The show presents the opportunity to exhibit our outstanding lineup, including the North American premiere of our new V50 model. On behalf of our team and dealer network, we sincerely appreciate all of the efforts by Informa that went into producing such a successful show."
This year’s show also coincided with the Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary (PBM+C) Art Fair, part of Informa Markets' Art Miami division. Windward Club ticketholders had access to both events, which featured a complimentary open bar, gourmet food, concierge, and sponsorship pop-up activations in a unique indoor and outdoor lounge setting. The Palm Beach County Convention Center brought a world-class, internationally respected group of art galleries and marine enthusiasts to Palm Beach, providing the perfect combination of fine art and luxury vessels to show attendees and exhibitors at large.
The 41st annual Palm Beach International Boat Show will return on March 23rd – March 26th, 2023.
For more information about the Palm Beach International Boat Show, visit www.PBBoatshow.com.
About Informa Markets
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Boating, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Fashion, and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.
About the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County
The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC) is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1986. Their mission is to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the benefit and education of its members, the community, and the environment. The MIAPBC brings the community two annual signature events: the Palm Beach International Boat Show and the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade. MIAPBC supports over forty local marine-related events and nonprofits that protect and promote the marine industry in Palm Beach County and beyond with a portion providing scholarships to deserving students. Since its inception, the MIAPBC has donated over $2.5 million to local nonprofit organizations and scholarship candidates. For more information, please visit www.marinepbc.org.
